FACT-CHECK: Pastors in Bor have not been given SSPDF uniforms and guns

Written by Makur Majeng

A claim circulating on Facebook alleges that pastors in Bor were given South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) uniforms and guns “in case of any eventualities,” but this is false.

The claim is accompanied by an image of a clergyman wearing a military uniform and has been widely shared without evidence by Twic Media Reports (archived).

“Pastors in Bor have been given SSPDF uniforms and guns Incase of any eventualities,” a Facebook post by Waat Press reads.

Debunking the Claim:

A Google reverse image search using the same image circulated on Facebook shows that on 26 May, 2025, the page South Sudan TMZ shared the photo with the caption “Pastor, Captain Ajok 🙏🏿,” identifying the individual as a pastor and military officer. This shows the image was later reused out of context to support a new and misleading narrative

The image used to support the claim shows James Malou Makuei, a bishop of the Source of Life Pentecostal Church as seen in this post.

“Malou Makuei overseas for the Source of life Pentecostal Church in New Site Juba. He is from the SSPDF chaplaincy Batch 10,” a source confirmed in a comment obtained by The ClarityDesk.

Military chaplains are formally embedded within armed forces to provide spiritual and pastoral care to service members and their families. As commissioned officers, they wear official military uniforms and hold ranks. Their presence in uniform reflects their military status, not the arming of civilian clergy.

The ECSS Chaplaincy Ministry is an established structure within the SSPDF. Its headquarters is located in Nimule, and its main base church in Juba is St. Paul’s Church in Mandisin, previously led by Captain Mabil Mier, a serving officer and pastor. Chaplains | Evangelicals Now

There is also no official communication from the SSPDF, the Ministry of Defence, Jonglei State authorities, or recognized church leadership confirming that civilian pastors in Bor were issued uniforms or firearms.

Our Verdict:

The ClarityDesk finds the claim that pastors in Bor have been given SSPDF uniforms and guns to be false.

The image used as evidence shows a military chaplain who is both a commissioned SSPDF officer and an ordained pastor in Juba. The photo has been recycled from earlier posts and repurposed to suggest a claim that is not supported by facts or official sources.

Have you spotted an error in this article and would like to request a correction, or have you come across a claim that we should investigate? Please send us an email via editor@claritydesk.org or click here to WhatsApp us via +211 928 606 958.